Wānaka’s elite ironman Braden Currie (37) dominated the Cairns Ironman in Australia yesterday (Sunday June 18) claiming victory with a commanding performance.

Braden’s time of 7:50:11 set a new course record by almost three minutes.

“It was a good day out, pretty tough conditions … I’m just stoked to come away with the win,” Braden said.

"It's good to get older and faster, I guess."

From the starting gun, Braden was in dominant form leading the swim and proceeding to break up the group leaving the chase pack with a 1:40 deficit at the 3.8 kilometre mark.

He continued strongly on the bike leg, leading the leg with fellow Kiwi Mike Phillips and Australia’s Steve McKenna.

Neither athlete could match Braden on the final run leg as he set a run course record and the fastest run time of his career of 2:37:35 to take the win by more than 10 minutes.

Braden now looks a serious contender for the world title in Nice (France) on September 10, a race he has made no secret he wants to win. He finished third at the Ironman World Championships last year.

Ironman Cairns results:

Sunday June 18, 2023 – 3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

Pro Men

1. Braden Currie (NZL) – 7:50:11

2. Steve McKenna (AUS) – 8:01:00

3. Tim van Berkel (AUS) – 8:04:55

4. Pete Jacobs (AUS) – 8:09:49

5. Mike Phillips (NZL) – 8:17:14

Pro Women

1. Kylie Simpson (AUS) 8:40:53

2. Radka Kahlefeldt (AUS) – 8:58:49

3. Penny Slater (AUS) – 9:05:50

4. Sarah Crowley (AUS) – 9:25:00

5. Kate Gillespie-Jones (AUS) – 9:29:01

PHOTO: Korupt Vision